Sometimes you just gotta wonder...

[Ray]

I have published a monthly newsletter for a long time.

"Gotta wonder" Part 1: Every month, I hold a random drawing (assisted by my wife) in which one of those individuals subscribing in the prior calendar month wins a free, $37 bottle of KelpMax. As all I have is an email address, I write and ask that they respond with a shipping address and I'll get it right out. To my amazement, about 20% of those individuals do not respond... Oh well.

"Gotta wonder" Part 2 - dishonesty: I offer discounts intended specifically for subscribers and occasionally throw in a bonus. I just did that, and I suddenly have a flurry of orders using those codes from folks who have not subscribed. That means some individuals are sharing that with friends, rather than suggesting they subscribe. Accordingly I'm going to have to discontinue one and reduce the discount of the "standing" one.

Why do folks have to be like that?

[Dollythehun]

Forgive me, Ray, it's been a long day: human nature since the fall. But, you knew that.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Wow, that is so weird about the codes, not so much about the missed giveaways

I know I miss a lot of emails bc I have too many addresses and get a lot of spam

About the codes, my only thought that is positive and not just “people are the worst” is maybe they think it is an automatic code that is meaningless to you and never changes and that they are helping their fellow man and woman by sharing a way to get a discount.....a stretch but maybe.....

[stonedragonfarms]

Ray, have you thought about using a random code generator (as opposed to using a single code?) to create single use codes?

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Ray

Why do folks have to be like that?

It's because, as we know - in this world - there are 'all sorts'.

I offer discounts intended specifically for subscribers and occasionally throw in a bonus. I just did that, and I suddenly have a flurry of orders using those codes from folks who have not subscribed. That means some individuals are sharing that with friends, rather than suggesting they subscribe. Accordingly I'm going to have to discontinue one and reduce the discount of the "standing" one.

I agree that generating unique codes automatically could help, which would also help you to know which people leaks the information.

An online system could be used that automatically checks for first time usage of the code, and rejects previously-used codes ..... this is to avoid too much manual work.